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The Olympics are upon us, and many eyes are on Paris and the athletes representing their countries. Amidst all the distractions, BBB warns consumers and businesses to be alert for potential scams, some of which were reported to BBB Scam Tracker in previous Games, as well as laws surrounding fair use of logos, trademarks and copyrights.
Ads for merchandise, text alerts for watching events, and even job opportunities are all potential sources that scammers may use to prey upon unsuspecting consumers. Businesses also need to be aware of bad actors and copyright violators who may try to use the excitement to pitch ripped-off gear.
Types of scams to expect
- Phishing texts and emails: You may get a text with a great offer for gear that sounds like it’s from a legitimate seller, or a link to view a certain event. Spot the red flags of fake text messages and never click on a link without first determining who it is from. Visit the company site directly or go to the official Olympics website to learn the event schedule.
- Job scams: Prior to the Olympics in 2022, college students saw emails for jobs sent to their school email, asking them to drive around with Olympics ads wrapped on their vehicles. BBB Scam Tracker received a report that said, “I got an email saying that NBC was looking for people to drive 100 miles or more weekly (basically any normal route you would take) with the decal of the ‘2022 Winter Olympics’ on their vehicles.” Naturally, it was a scam. More on avoiding job scams.
- Counterfeit merchandise: You will likely see merchandise ads during the Games with logos on them; resist the temptation to buy fake gear or collectors’ items that could be knockoffs, and only purchase from official sellers. Check out BBB’s advice for buying sports merchandise.
- Fake sports streaming links: Similar to the way in which scammers post fake streaming links for other sports contests, like high school football, you may see links to stream the games in the comments on social media posts. Only use the official links, and do not fall for those fraudsters who are out to get your personal information.
A word of caution for business owners
In addition, businesses need to be aware of the copyright and trademark laws that surround the Olympics.
- Educate yourself. Be aware of the ways in which the words “Olympics” and logos are protected trademarks. Educate yourself on the ways in which hashtags and social media posts can and can’t be used, and avoid sales and promotions that misuse the protected logos and terms.
- Follow proper procedures. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) outlines the Olympic Properties owned by the IOC and how they can and cannot be used. You must make a formal request in order to use them via this form to request the use of Olympic properties or the National Olympic Committee.
Resources for more information
BBB’s Spot A Scam hub: Learn how to identify scammers
BBB Scam Tracker: See a scam? Report it to us!
Headed to Paris? Beware of ticket scams